Once a week for the last five years and some, Tod & I’ve had a Japanese lesson together. Anyone who has heard us speak Japanese will marvel at our different abilities. Tod’s approaching fluency. I flail with any conjugation more complex than negative past tense.
So this evening, when we rounded the corner on the current grammar review, I indicated that I would be quite happy to be done when we reach the end of these handouts.
Oyama-sensei looked less than surprised, though she encouraged me to continue. “The next thing is a new book and it’s not so much grammar, mostly conversations. You’re really good at those,” she said in Japanese. Ha, right!
Tod was horrified. He loves learning Japanese so much that he can’t fathom that I might not share his enthusiasm. Or maybe he enjoys watching me struggle. Either way, he looked disappointed.
I told them I’d think about it. But really, I don’t want to take lessons anymore. I see light at the end of the tunnel and I’m hurrying towards it as fast as I can.
Posted by kuri at April 14, 2004 10:26 PMI don’t think anyone would marvel … and I’m hardly approaching fluency.
Thanks for the compliment but I think you are overstating the case.
Tod’s a star, no doubt about it. He excels in everything to which he applies serious attention, nor should anyone be surprised at his modesty.
Why do you need to compare your progress with his? Why not emulate your Takao-san hike and strike out on your own? Find a Japanese school that seems to provide the mix you need and jump in with both feet.
Or, if you’re really at the end of the road, then why wait to come out of “the tunnel”? Today’s could be your last lesson, if you want it to be.
Posted by: on April 15, 2004 12:46 AMI wouldn’t worry about it too much - Tod’s got a “knack” for one way of doing it and a certain fascination with the structure, origins and mechanics of the language that you might just not share.
Negative past tense is probably more than you need for a lot of good communication. Forget grammar and focus on communication, I’d say. Listen more than you speak. (Good advice in *any* language.) Find people who you tend to understand - I think you know what I’m talking about. Some people, you just have an easier time conveighing your ideas to, while with others, it’s a series of “what?” and “where?” and “mo-ichidou” while you hack through simple phrases.
Make mistakes. Lots of them. Don’t be afraid to use the wrong word, just to see if it fits. If your idea gets across, it’s a success. Don’t try to know all of the words - carry a dictionary if need be.
I’ve been mangling the language with pretty good success for a few years now and I really think I do OK with most people — people at work, my green grocer, the barber, taxi drivers and people who share common interests. I do OK, I get through the day and I communicate. I never took any lessons and I’ve barely cracked open my books. It’s all been through talking to people I’ve met.
Ganbatte!
Jim
Actually learning ohter launguages are difficult. And I ofthe hear, Japanese is one of the most difficult laungages. —- But for me English is really difficult. I hope you continue to study our Japanese little by little, but in your case you live here, so always you take a shower of Japanese. It might be enough to study Japanese. I hope my comments make sense.
Posted by: Mieko on April 15, 2004 08:38 AMThis is the way I describe language learning.
Think of concentric or nested cups. The smallest cup in the middle is listening. Once you fill your listening cup then it will naturally overflow into the speaking cup. Likewise, when the speaking cup starts to overflow it will naturally go into the reading cup. Finally when the reading cup is full it is only natural to start writing.
Now is it possible to write when your listening cup is only half full? Of course, but it requires great effort. It doesn’t flow.
My advice for the language learner. Find out where it is flowing and spend your time there. Don’t be afraid of new challenges, but if it requires extreme effort, it probably is not helping you to become better at the language.
Of course none of this makes any sense at all unless there is a steady of stream being poured into the first listening cup. Even if you quit classes, make sure that you are still receiving steady Japanese input.
Good luck.
Jonathan
It may be possible that the approach to the foreign language is different between you and Tod. A different way to go at it might be the answer…
Posted by: Kimura on April 15, 2004 08:45 PMTod’s geekish profile obviously confers him an advantage when it comes to learning Japanese ;-)
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/2/26/175722/727
Posted by: Struggling on April 18, 2004 04:47 PM